KUCHING: PKR vice president Dr Xavier Jayakumar has suggested that state PKR chairman Baru Bian, a Bumiputera, be named as the opposition leader in Sarawak.
Dr Xavier said this is in light of the winds of change in the rural heartland of Sarawak.
“I refer to an ancient Chinese proverb that states ‘When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills’. Let us together show the Sarawakian people that Pakatan is serious and committed to the struggle of the native Bumiputera.
“I call upon my Pakatan brothers that we must build windmills and push the agenda for change in rural Sarawak. Baru Bian personifies and symbolises that change as we look forward to 2021,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Dr Xavier said while BN might claim a landslide victory in terms of the number of seats they had won, a finer examination of the results showed serious cracks in BN’s control over rural Sarawak.
“The BN had the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, cabinet ministers and all their director-generals campaigning day and night.
“In contrast they made every effort to lock out and keep away Pakatan leadership from entering Sarawak. But what did this power play produce? Despite the money politics, and the vast sums of money promised to rural longhouses, churches and communities.”
Dr Xavier said PKR’s results in Telang Usan, Mulu, Murum, Layar and Marudi had sent shock vibrations through the heartland of the Sarawakian Bumiputeras.
“I have no doubt that given the current circumstances – where PKR has retained both our rural seats in the Iban and Orang Ulu heartland, as well as one urban seat – we will move forward with our Pakatan partners to become stronger and better.
“Together, PKR, DAP, PAS and Amanah must take to heart the lessons we have learnt. We must speak in one voice, for the betterment of the Sarawakian people if we are to defeat BN.”